Anchorage/Mat-Su/Kenai- Officials from regional governments and utilities estimate anacross-the-board energy load reduction of between 2-4 percent last Wednesday nightbetween 6-8 p.m., the period of the second Energy Watch conservation drill.Conservation was measured by both local natural gas and electric utilities inSouthcentral Alaska. Natural gas savings were calculated and measured by analyzingconsumption trend lines from before, after, and during the conservation test period. Onthe electric side, conservation was measured by analyzing actual kilowatts used duringthe test and compared those figures against same-time, prior and post day usage.

Of note is the difficulty in determining precisely what load reductions were because ofvariations in temperature, daylight, potentially unrelated load reductions from largeenergy users, etc. Even with this challenge, officials involved in the test expressedconfidence that this year's results largely mirror last year's.

In addition to the measurements conducted by the utilities, they commissioned a HaysResearch Group poll that was conducted over the weekend. Out of 408 Southcentralresidents, 69 percent were aware of a possible natural gas delivery problem, and morethan 55 percent were aware of the Oct. 20 conservation test. About a third claimed tohave participated in the test.

"These numbers prove we have been largely successful in communicating thechallenges associated with gas deliverability in Cook Inlet," said Mayor Sullivan."Citizens armed with the right conservation tools could make the difference in keepingthe lights and heat on in the middle of a cold winter night. I want to thank our friends onthe Kenai Peninsula and in Mat-Su for their support, as well as the enthusiasticparticipation from our utilities. This has been a group effort and we all benefit as aresult."

This year, local officials reached out to local businesses to encourage their participation.This resulted from community feedback last year, which recommended that businessesbe more involved in future energy reduction exercises.

The conservation drill was designed to gauge how much energy could be saved during agas delivery shortfall. Should such a problem arise, residents of South central Alaskawould first be asked to take actions in the Yellow or "Caution" section of the EnergyWatch chart. Those actions include turning down the thermostat to 65 degrees in livingareas; postponing laundry and dishes, lowering the water heater to "warm", minimizinguse of gas ranges and turning off unnecessary lights and electronics. A cooperativeconservation effort will hopefully mitigate the last-resort need for rolling blackouts.